Forms champions aren’t made by luck— they’re built through attention to basics, stances, and control that holds up under pressure. From white belt kata to the most advanced black belt form, judges can see when your power is real, your balance is steady, and your speed is intentional. Add presence, focus, and flexibility, and your performance becomes impossible to ignore.

No matter your rank, this list will help you sharpen what matters most before your next USSD tournament.

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1. BASICS:

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Regardless of your rank, your basics need to be sharp. As a beginner, your basics might consist of a front kick and some punches. As an advanced competitor, your basics might include spinning kicks, jumping kicks or multiple hand combinations.

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2. STANCES:

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Stances are like the foundation of a house. If they are weak, you will have a weak foundation and a poorly built house. If they are strong, you will have a strong foundation for your home. Keep your stances as low as they should be. Be sure that your weight distribution and foot alignment are accurate. Your posture is also very important before and after your presentation.

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3. POWER:

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A form is a self-defense scenario against imaginary opponents. Therefore, your movements better be effective. Strong kicks, punches and blocks are essential. It’s better to have a strong low kick than a weak high kick. Don’t give up power for flash.

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4. BALANCE:

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Stumbling during a forms routine is a major error. Don’t think it’s impossible to lose your balance, especially if you’re throwing advanced techniques. Therefore, demonstrate good balance and show that you are in control during the entire routine.

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5. SPEED:

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Some basic, traditional forms do not require much speed from strike to strike. However, even in a simple form, show great speed in single kick or a single punch. In the more advanced forms, showing a quick combination of movements is important. Try not to make your entire routine a blur though. Stop a couple of seconds after each combo to let the judges appreciate your solid stances, incredible balance and perfect basics. Don’t emphasize speed exclusively.

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6. INTENSITY AND PRESENCE:

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Remember, when you are performing a form, you are fighting imaginary opponents. Therefore, you should not have a blank look on your face or a smile. Be intense. Use your facial expressions to let the judges visualize what you are really doing. Be vocal and use your internal chi (energy) to deliver more power through your kiai (spirit yell).

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7. FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION:

You must focus if you want your techniques to be accurate. Usually, when a person’s eyes start to wander, he is unsure of his next move. Don’t lose your concentration because you didn’t practice enough, someone starts playing loud music in the next ring, or if someone wanders through your ring during the middle of your performance.

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8. FLEXIBILITY:

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If your flexibility is good, you will be able to perform harder, fancier kicks or gymnastics moves. I don’t think there is anything more exciting than watching someone throw a kick straight up with good execution and power. If you’re a traditionalist, good flexibility will allow you to move with greater ease.

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9. DIFFICULTY OF MOVES:

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The more difficult your moves are, the higher you’ll score. However, many people put difficult moves in their routines before they are ready to throw them flawlessly. Wait until you can nail them every time.

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10. HAVE A GOOD BACK UP:

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Make sure you know the rules regarding ties. Some tournaments may require a different routine. Even if they don’t require a different form, have a solid back up. If you can go out and do a different form just as well as the first, you are showing how multi-dimensional you are.